Higher Credit Helps You Get a Loan

Take Steps to Keep Your Credit Rating High

Home buyers looking to take advantage of great FHA loan benefits should already know they need to establish the best possible credit rating. Applicants with a better credit rating increase their options for mortgage or refinance loans. In order to qualify for the low 3.5 percent FHA loan down payment, applicants will need a FICO score of at least 580. Those that don't meet that criteria will have to put a down payment of 10 percent on the mortgage they want.

FHA loans are designed to help home buyers, so these government-insured loans usually come with more lenient requirements than typical mortgages or refinancing terms from traditional lenders. While the benefits don't vary much between someone with good credit and excellent credit, there is a very noticeable margin for those with bad credit and average to good credit.

Why You Need a Better Credit Score

While the 580 FICO score threshold is a major factor in how an applicant will pay for a mortgage, your credit score isn't the only thing the FHA takes into account. Payment history, bankruptcies and foreclosures are also issues that the agency looks at. While these factors may hurt your credit score, they don't necessarily eliminate you from loan eligibility.

That doesn't mean, however, that you can neglect your credit. While the FHA is lenient enough to help those with bad credit ratings, they also require recent credit history to be in good standing.

Extenuating circumstances like job loss, injury or anything else that prevented you to pay in a timely manner can, and most likely will, be taken into account. However, if you have demonstrated you purposely neglected payments or your credit rating, your chances of qualifying for an FHA loan will be reduced.

Be Safe, Not Sorry With Your Credit

Obviously, it's better to have good credit than bad credit when applying for any loan. Don't take your credit history for granted, though, because you might find an error or inaccuracy that could hurt your chances of qualifying for an FHA loan. Instead of going through the headache of disputing your application with your agency and holding up the process, be proactive and make sure your credit score and ratings are where they should be before approaching the FHA.

FREE CREDIT SCORES From All 3 Bureaus

FHA Loan Articles and Mortgage News

May 11, 2018 - For those who want to rehab an existing home rather than having one built from scratch, the FHA 203(k) rehab loan is an important option. This FHA mortgage, which is also available as a refinance loan, allows the borrower to make renovations and improvements to the property.

April 28, 2018 - When you examine your FHA construction loan options, choosing between a One-Time Close construction loan and other construction loan options with two loans and two closing dates are only part of your decision-making process.

April 22, 2018 - One of the main issues with construction loans with two closing dates is that there is no guarantee that the borrower will qualify for the second loan. Borrowers who do not use FHA One-Time Close loans must be careful with credit and related financial issues.

April 16, 2018 - FHA One-Time Close construction loan options are available for borrowers who wish to apply for an FHA mortgage, but don’t want to buy an existing property. Not all borrowers understand they have options for this type of loan-options that include VA and even USDA construction loans for qualified applicants.

FHA.com Reviews

FHA.com is a one-stop resource for homebuyers who want to make the best decisions when it comes to their mortgage. With our detailed, mobile-friendly site, individuals can access information about different FHA products, the latest loan limits, and numerous other resources to make their homebuying experience easier. Take a look at some of the reviews from other FHA.com visitors!

Common FHA Questions

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FHA.com is a privately-owned website that is not affiliated with the U.S. government. Remember, the FHA does not make home loans. They insure the FHA loans that we can assist you in getting. FHA.com is a private corporation and does not make loans.

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FHA.com is not a government agency. We do not offer or have any affiliation with loan modification, foreclosure prevention, payday loan, or short term loan services. Neither FHA.com nor its advertisers charge a fee or require anything other than a submission of qualifying information for comparison shopping ads. We do not ask users to surrender or transfer title. We do not ask users to bypass their lender. We encourage users to contact their lawyers, credit counselors, lenders, and housing counselors.